Volume V Part 1 (2/2)
”Crosin”
”I don't know it”
”I daresay you don't She is the daughter of a cousin of mine who lived at Marseilles”
”Tell that to someone else; but, after all, what does it matter? You choose well, amuse yourself, and make theratulate you I shall be delighted to see your niece, but if she knows me youMadaave her the Marquis Triulzi's letter Soon after she ca that she had been expecting me, as Triulzi had written to her on the subject She introduced ustino Gri absence of her husband, who lived at Lisbon
The signora's apartular features, her ure well shaped, though too thin She was nearly thirty I say nothing of her complexion, for her face was plastered hite and red, and so coarsely, that these patches of paint were the first things that caught usted at this, in spite of her fine expressive eyes After an hour spent in question and reply, in which both parties were feeling their way, I accepted her invitation to coot back I coed her room, which was only separated from mine by a small closet which I intended for her hly pleased with this attention, and it paved the way for my success I also told her that the next day she was to dine with me at a substantial merchant's as my niece, and this piece of news irl whom Croce had infatuated and deprived of her senses was exquisitely beautiful, butthan all her physical beauties were the nobleness of her presence and the sweetness of her disposition
I was alreadytaken possession of her on the first day of our journey If I had taken her at her word I should have been a steadfast lover, and I do not think it would have taken et her former admirer
I hadwith hunger; and as my niece had an excellent appetite we prepared ourselves for enjoy delicate, as we had expected, they were detestable I told Clairmont to send for the landlady, and she said that she could not help it, as everything had been done by my own cook
”My cook?” I repeated
”Yes, sir, the one your secretary, M Possano, engaged for you I could have got a much better one and a much cheaper one myself”
”Get one to-morrow”
”Certainly; but you must rid yourself and me of the present cook, for he has taken up his position here with his wife and children Tell Possano to send for hiet me a fresh cook I will try him the day after to-ed her to go to bed without troubling about an to read it When I had finished, I went up to bed, and said,
”Youto sleep by ave her a kiss and left her
In themy fair niece ca ed me to let her have soo and fetch soone she went down on her knees and would have wipedlady”
”Why not? it is a mark of friendshi+p”
”That iven to anyone but your lover without your degrading yourself”
She got up and sat down on a chair quietly, but saying nothing
Clairain, and I proceeded with my toilette
The landlady came in with our breakfast, and asked my niece if she would like to buy a fine silk shawl made in the Genoese fashi+on I did not let her be confused by having to answer, but told the landlady to let us see it Soon after thefriend twenty Genoese sequins, telling her that she ht use theme imprint a delicious kiss on her lovely lips
I had sent away the ht the shahen Possano took it upon himself to remonstrate with me in the matter of the cook